FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, August 10, 2022

CONTACT:
MayorPress@sandiego.gov

SAN DIEGO Delivering on his commitment to have San Diego lead on climate action, Mayor Todd Gloria today signed the Citys Climate Action Plan (CAP) update, which will guide many aspects of City policy and operations toward meeting an ambitious new emission-reduction target.

From wildfires to heat waves, to floods, we see the impacts of climate change all around us. Every level of government must take action on addressing climate change and with this Climate Action Plan, the City is stepping up to do so, said Mayor Todd Gloria. This update to the Citys Climate Action Plan means cleaner air and water, local investment and jobs, infrastructure improvements, more safe and convenient mobility options, increased access to green space, and most of all, a better future for our children and grandchildren.

The Mayors CAP update puts San Diego at the forefront of climate action nationwide, setting an aggressive target of net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2035. In order to achieve these reductions, the plan calls for the City to:

• Phase out 90% of fossil fuel use in buildings by 2035 through electrification, appliance swaps and other emerging technologies, improving efficiency and indoor air quality;
• Work with San Diego Community Power to offer 100% renewable electricity for all customers in San Diego by 2030;
• Plan for and invest in a mobility network that shifts 50% of all trips to walking, biking or transit and reduces the overall need for vehicle use by 2035;
• Support and accelerate the transition from combustion to electric vehicles, to account for at least 25% of light-duty vehicle miles traveled by 2035;
• Reduce waste production and divert 90% of waste away from the landfill by 2035;
• Restore 700 acres of wetlands and related habitats to promote carbon storage and ecosystem health; and
• Achieve 35% urban tree canopy coverage by 2035 by planting and maintaining tens of thousands of trees, focused first in underserved communities that are vulnerable to extreme heat.

The City gathered extensive public feedback from more than 4,000 San Diegans to help inform the CAP. The plan prioritizes equity through the incorporation of the Citys Climate Equity Index and the use of extensive input from historically underserved communities to prioritize actions and investments most desired by these residents.

A complete implementation plan is being drafted and will be released before next years budget proposal, and each department responsible for CAP actions will be required to provide annual work plans to show how they will carry out the plans identified strategies.

To learn more about the Citys climate-related efforts, visit sandiego.gov/climatefuture.

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